We've seen kits for 4x4 trucks, however, this one is the most convenient that I've seen. With a combination of skiis and tracks built into each wheel drive unit, the stock wheels can generate plenty of propulsion when paired with low ground pressure and high traction. I'm not sure if slippage of the tire on top of the track unit is a problem.

Each Track N Go kit comes with four track units and two loading ramps. To attach the tracks onto the vehicle, place the tracks in front of each wheel on the ground with the ramps leading up to them and simply drive forward onto the units and clamp them on. Rubber rollers integrated on the device ensures the tire stays aligned side-to-side for steering.

These look to be a bit less robust than other full track bolt-on kits; however, the convenience factor is high. I like that one could drive a truck to a location and then easily affix the tracks when the snow becomes deep enough to warrant it.

Looks to have a contiunous rubber track cast specially for this purpose. Advanced tread design will aid in self-cleaning mud and debris from clogging the tread pattern. Double leaf spring suspension on the bogies, slanted bogie positioning to aid track alignment and position, advanced cast wheels are likely plastic or aluminum for weight savings.

Despite these high-tech seeming elements, others indicate it is dated. leaf springs are now typically replaced by coil springs and cylindrical shock absorbers, and the body of the vehicle seems to be made of wood beams and steel banding which has been replaced with all metal or composite construction techniques.

From the Germans during WWII: Panzerfahre Gepanzerte Landwasserschleppen. This tracked boat claimed to carry 20 people plus 3 operators. It was the early development efforts for a more effective amphibious landing craft capable of traversing difficult terrain and able to make significant inland maneuvers. Capable of sea launches to transport onto land as well as cross rivers and other water barriers to land access.

Second iteration opf the concept -- the Panzerfahre Gepanzerte Landwasserschleppen 2 -- more closely resembles modern landing craft. This example has startling similarity to the modern US efforts as described here.

A company called Evatech makes and sells some pretty fancy tracked lawnmowers for industrial applications. They're intended for mowing on steep slopes, low overhead access, and anywhere too dangerous for a human operator.

The models have a gas powered lawnmower blade drive and an electric drive for the tracks. Looks to me like they're using some simple off-the-shelf drive components from electric mobility scooters, some readily available industrial rubber tracks, R/C controllers, and lawnmower machinery.

I like the ingenuity of design and the build looks robust. Their drive sprocket, for example, appears to be an elegant build solution: bolts with sleeves positioned around the circumference of a round metal plate. Simple and effective.

The VW bug is a go-to platform for DIY vehicle mods. Its light, its simple, and its cheap.

Here is an example of a bug with tracks fitted with an extra axle, gullwing doors, and track covered extensions. I like the home made tracks, too -- metal stock bolted to a length of continuous conveyor belt and inner cleats to grip the rubber tires.

The Creeper Track Society is restoring a Citroën Kegresse P17E half-track vehicle. These fellows are carrying out the restoration in detail and documenting the process on their website: Creeper Track Society. I'm very interested in the process -- and the excellent skill and dedication of the team -- as they show their work restoring the boogies to building their own track replacement from scratch.

DARPA funded the development of this tracked vehicle -- Captive Air Amphibious Transporter (CAAT) -- which is part paddle wheeler and part tank. Designed to be an autonomous transport vehicle in land and water, this vehicle seems to take the best qualities of the track tread and make it work in these two environments.

Now, I know this is cool and all, but it is also a patent fake, 'shopped', a photoshop composite image. This image of a 'Tracked Urban Mobility Scout" or TUMS appears to be someone's imagination exploring the idea of fitting a Mercedes Smart car with a German Military Weasel light tank.

A visitor to the site -- t00tie -- sent over a link to a very cool 3D printer model for plastic tracks.

The model is called "Moon Rover" created by emmett on the site Thingiverse. The track design is derived originally from a expanding bracelet and it utilizes the pliability of ABS with the natural flex of the deep inset hinges between each cleat to get a simple yet effective tread.

There have been a number of tracked recreation vehicle designs popping up lately pushing into an interesting area of hybrid conversions. Specifically, these are kits designed to convert an off-road motorcycle into a uniquely capable snow machine. There are many companies, however, Timbersled is a popular kit out here in the mountainous West Coast of Canada.

This innovative track design from Japan's Osaka University allow a vehicle to carry heavy weight and gain the advantage of multiple directions of travel.

The design uses interesting split track layout mounted on wheels they call omni-balls -- spherical balls split into two hemispheres -- as the drive mechanism for the track. It appears from the video that the drive shaft attaches to the front and rear of the track mechanism and this supports the weight of the vehicle and transmits power and control inputs to the track.

Just stumbled upon this site about two guys, Tim Park and Jim Maidment, from Kimberly BC Canada who made a tracked vehicle they call the Skizee. Intended for ski patrol and back country skiiers to gain additional mobility and range in their activities.

As part of our brainstorming session, Greg and I discussed the possibility of a single tracked bicycle design where the track could flex into an arc for the purposes of cornering. Turns out, a couple of crafty German designers, Tilmann Schlootz and Oliver Keller, thought of this long ago and in 2006 released a motorcycle model for the Michelin Challenge Design competition.

Interesting find on the web -- the DTV Shredder motorized personal track vehicle. The prototype was designed and built by fellow Canadians BPG Werks located in Brampton, Ontario. They claim to have financial supporters for civilian and military applications and expect to be in production in the next 18 months or so.

I really like their concept and the simplicity of the design. Seems like they used a snowmobile track, cut in half down its length, and all the stock drive cogs and idler wheels. Bicycle pedals and frames welded on to a square tube chassis rounds out the package. I'm curious to know how well it works and to talk with these guys... If you're out there drop us a comment!

Found some smaller ATV track examples. Similar to the car previously posted, however, smaller. One attractive thing about this design from a human powered vehicle perspective is that we would no longer need to utilize the skid-steer method of turning, which is inefficient and difficult for a load capable track design. In this ATV example shown below, the tracks in front steer independently and the rear are fixed.

This video shows a modern all-wheel drive car fitted with custom tracks. The interesting thing for us is the design of these tracks: The 4 wheels at the bottom contact patch, all connected by pivoting arms that allow the track to follow the ground. This is very similar to the design we created out of lego. Also, the use of a rubber track in this application is parallel to our own plans.

Notice the cab-forward position of the driver(s) who also pedal the vehicle. The mid section is two doubleseat benches positioned sideways for the passengers (tentative seating plan) and a gear section to the rear where the sketch shows a cooler and radio.

The idea is to have a single V-belt for low weight, and a high efficiency linear (smooth) roll motion. A chain of aluminium cleats are riveted to the V-belt to complete the track. The cleats wings are curved to the diameter of the pulley wheel. This makes for a smooth rolling surface for the pulleys to travel on.

The cleats are made from 0.032" (or 1/32") aluminium. This aids in weight reduction and allows for each cleat's connector tabs to flex while following the V-belt around the pulley wheel. The cleat wings are not very strong as they are cantilevered on either side of the V-belt. However, the strength is improved by the general curved shape of the cleat. Furthermore, each cleat wing is protected during its most loaded duration - directly under the pulley wheel that carries the majority of the vehicle weight. This is accomplished by welding drums on either side of the pulley wheel, of equal diameter, that directly support the cleat wings under load.